Head of QC Operations & Planning (m/w/d)

Job description

Job Description Our Manufacturing & Supply Division is dedicated to being the most trusted supplier of biopharmaceuticals worldwide. Our facilities, along with our external contractors, suppliers, and partners, create a reliable global manufacturing network that is devoted to delivering a high-quality, reliable supply to customers and patients on time, every time. Our site in 1210 Vienna is a strategic location for solid drug manufacturing including tablets, coated tablets, granules and implants for the health provision and treatment of livestock and domestic animals. Most of our products are exported. To ensure sustainable company growth we continually strive to offer attractive career opportunities for more than 450 employees at our Vienna site. In support of our existing team, we are currently looking for a: Head of QC Operations & Planning (m/w/d) The Head of QC Operations & Planning is responsible for the operational control, planning, coordination, and execution governance of all Quality Control laboratory activities at site level. The role acts as the operational control tower of QC, ensuring that QC work is executed predictably, compliantly, and efficiently, while maintaining a strict separation from scientific judgment and QA decision making. This position translates quality strategies, specifications, inspection plans, and regulatory commitments into executable QC work, ensuring the right activities are performed at the right time, with the right priorities, resources, and interfaces. Responsibilities Own end‑to‑end QC operational planning, sequencing, and prioritization, ensuring predictable and timely execution across routine testing, stability, investigations, deviations, and projects Balance QC demand with available laboratory capacity (people, skills, equipment, time) and proactively manage bottlenecks, risks, and escalations Ensure compliant execution and coordination of sampling and end‑to‑end sample flow, including interfaces with Production, Warehouse, QC labs, and external partners Act as process owner for execution governance of deviations, OOS, and CAPAs, ensuring disciplined progression, transparency, and timeline adherence Coordinate external laboratory testing and stability execution from an operational perspective, including schedules, performance tracking, and cost transparency Lead QC operational performance monitoring, KPIs, inspection readiness coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives Lead and develop the QC Operations & Planning team, fostering execution discipline, ownership, and clear separation from scientific and QA decision making Qualifications, Experience & Skills Strong understanding of QC laboratory operations in a regulated (GMP) environment, including sample flow, stability, and testing execution Proven expertise in operational planning, prioritization, and execution governance across complex, high‑volume QC activities Ability to manage deviations, OOS, and CAPAs from an execution and coordination perspective, ensuring timeline discipline and transparency Excellent stakeholder coordination and communication skills, working effectively across QC, QA, Production, Supply Chain, and external partners Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, fostering accountability, clarity of roles, and execution discipline Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills with the ability to prioritize under pressure and manage competing demands Structured, data‑driven, and improvement‑oriented mindset, with experience in KPIs, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives We offer Exciting and varied field of work in a modern, internationally operating company Annual bonus and employee recognition bonuses Employee referral program Attractive company pension Paid parental leave up to 12 weeks provided by company Company medical care and vaccination program Discounted fitness offer Fruit, coffee & tea Massage@Work Modern company canteen with generous company subsidy Annual ticket for Wiener Linien or subsidy for climate ticket and/or bike leasing Various employee discounts and benefits and much more! We offer an attractive salary, outstanding social benefits and an exciting work environment with varied tasks in an international environment. The minimum annual salary for this position is EUR 79.600 and varies according to the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. We are looking forward to receiving your application. Required Skills: Analytical Method Transfer, Analytical Method Transfer, Analytical Testing, Analytical Thinking, cGMP Compliance, Corrective Action Management, Driving Continuous Improvement, GMP Compliance, GMP Documentation, Inspection Readiness, Instrumentation, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Testing, Operational Control, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Quality Control (QC), Planning, Prioritization, Production Operations, Product Lifecycle, Project Prioritization, Quality Control Management, Quality Management, Quality Standards {+ 1 more} Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. Employee Status: Regular Relocation: No relocation VISA Sponsorship: No Travel Requirements: No Travel Required Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Not Indicated Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): NA Job Posting End Date: 08/18/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.